Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

¹⁹ The leaders of the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem. They asked John, `Who are you?' John told them.

²⁰ He did not hide the truth, but he told people plainly. He said, `I am not the Christ.'

²¹ So they asked him, `Well then, are you Elijah?' He answered, `No, I am not.' They asked, `Are you the Prophet?' He answered, `No.'

²² Then those priests said, `Who are you? We want to give an answer to the people who sent us. What do you say about yourself?'

²³ John said, `I am a voice calling in the desert, "Make the road straight for the Lord." This is what was said by Isaiah, the prophet of God long ago.'

²⁴ It was the Pharisees who had sent these people to John.

²⁵ So they asked him, `If you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet, why then are you baptizing?'

²⁶ John answered, `I baptize people in water. But there is a man standing among you whom you do not know.

²⁷ He is the one coming after me who is greater than I am. I am not even good enough to untie his shoe strings.'

²⁸ The place where John was baptizing was Bethany on the other side of the Jordan River.